I changed my ratchets characteristics

[Philbert]

So there I was cleaning my ratchet like the good OCD boy that I am and I lose the ball and spring for my craftsman RH ratchet. I've had this ratchet for over twenty years. So I went to my local Ace Hardware and bought me a spring and ball bearing that looks close enough. When I reassembled everything I noticed that the ratchet is a bit more stiff than it used to be. and the L-R selector lever is stiffer too. I'm kinda on the fence as to if I like the changes. But it does feel as if the ratchet is meshing with the gears better now.

Has anyone else experienced any changes to their ratchets when they have made a change?

 

[rusty65]

I would clip the spring a tad or you can squeeze the spring back and forth and try to make the spring less stiff.

If you have a sears around i think they still carry rebuild kits for the older cmans.

 

[Philbert]

I did clip the spring abit. perhaps I should clip it some more. But like I said I kinda like it this way and then I don't. I'm just so conflicted!

 

[Dillithium]

When I did my 3/8th's flexhead ratchet with super lube, one of the two selector springs shot away to infinity and beyond. I replaced both springs with the battery holding springs out of an old tv remote. They're a lot stiffer, so the selector is harder to flip but it feels stronger now, and it does engage the gear better. So I'm with you, it worked out better in the end.